Noblesse Privilege 24 (Patreon)

Noblesse Privilege
Chapter 24

-VB-

People came from all over the world for the wedding.

From my hidden veranda in one of the buildings I now owned at the King’s Square in front of the Nefertari Palace, I looked down onto the street where a huge celebrating crowd partied.

This was the pre-marriage party, by the way.

I saw people wearing the traditional hanbok from South Blue. I saw some nobles wearing the turbans of the western corner of East Blue. There was even a royal prince from nearby Paradise kingdoms.

This was the biggest event of the year - perhaps even the decade - and I was to be at the center stage of it all with Vivi.

As it was tradition for the groom on his wedding day, I couldn’t look at Vivi until we were to be wed.

It sucked, honestly.

Still, I hummed happily because I knew that when I greet Vivi as my wife soon, I would see her at her most beautiful.

“You look like I did when I married Vivi’s mother.”

I looked over my shoulder at King Cobra.

I grinned. “Why wouldn’t I?” I asked him with cheerful grin. “Vivi is the most beautiful woman to me.”

He snorted before he became pensive. “I know that you two will face troubles,” he spoke up. “A World Noble does not marry a royalty of lesser kingdoms.”

I snorted. “You and Vivi would have been World Nobles if your ancestors had joined mine up in Mary Geoise,” I replied. “I really don’t see why it is an issue for us, and I have already told you about how I have more or less gotten the Elders to back off.”

“Just because the Elders of the World Government have backed off does not mean that others will,” Cobra replied. “I think Monkey D. Dragon has something to say about that.”

I paused before narrowing my eyes. “Did he send you a message?”

I knew for a fact that King Cobra and Alabasta Kingdom was not working with the Revolutonaries.

“He did. He was disappointed that I would align myself with a World Noble, even if you are one of the few who are worthy of respect.”

I chuckled. “Dragon respects me? I guess I can consider that an achievement in and of itself,” I replied.

Before I could say anymore, the bell rang.

It would soon be time.

I smiled as I stood up from the chair I’d been sitting in.

I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly.

“It’s time.”

Cobra grumbled good-naturedly as my words reminded him that Vivi would be joining me soon.

-VB-

The Karakurum Temple not too far from the Nefertari Palace hosted us, and I walked up the aisle with people sitting on either side of the walkway.

People whispered as they looked at me. My normally stubborn and spiky black hair was swept back. I’d forgone the sunglasses, despite how eye-wateringly bright interior of the temple burned my eyes. I also left my “casual” trenchcoat behind in favor of a white formal suit and dress shoes.

I stood at the head of the temple, right next to the priest there.

And then I turned and looked towards the now closed doors.

I waited with abated breath…

And then the double doors creaked open.

I watched with wide eyes as sunlight flooded the room once more, and found myself staring at Vivi. With a flowing, light blue wedding gown to complement her hair and eyes, Princess Vivi stood next to her father.

When the door finished opening, the two began their approach.

My heart thundered inside of my chest. I stilled myself of the nervousness that infected every inch of me. Instead, I focused on Vivi, and saw her smile up at me as she walked up towards me.

And then they were in front of me.

“Make her happy for me,” Cobra told me sternly as he gave me her hand, and I took her.

And then the two of us stood before the altar.

The priest looked both of us once before smiling and then looked down to read his manuscript.

“Today,” he spoke with a deep voice that seemed livelier than his ancient, wrinkled face. “We have two beloved individuals before us. They seek to join together in a holy and sacred matrimony. Before we begin, I must ask if anyone objects to the wedding.”

No one spoke out.

The priest smiled. “Wonderful, then let us begin with a prayer to Nika, Lord of the Sun, who watches over us all.

“Oh, Nika. The warrior of the sun. You who watches over us all. We pray to you to bless these two who have come to you to affirm their matrimony in your presence. We beseech you to protect their future family. We beg of you to keep them together and whole.”

Then the priest raised his head.

“Let us now exchange the vows. Do you, Celestial Dragon Geoffrey Goldman Achstein vel Monstrathum, vow to be true to Princess Nefertari Vivi?”

“I do,” I pledged as I looked into Vivi’s eyes.

“Do you, Princess Nefertari Vivi, vow to be true to Celestial Dragon Geoffrey Goldman Achstein vel Monstrathum?”

“I do,” she replied with a watery smile.

“Do you, Geoffrey vel Monstrathum, pledge your love to Nefertari Vivi?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Nefertari Vivi, pledge your love to Geoffrey vel Monstrathum?”

“I do.”

With a thump, he closed his holy book.

“Then you may kiss.”

I leaned forward and kissed her. She returned the kiss.

A cheer broke out from behind us, and when the kiss broke, I impulsively scooped up Vivi. She laughed as I carried her out of the temple and out into the sun.

My eyes watered not because of the sun but because of how happy I was.

This was the happiest day of my life.

“I love you,” I told her, and she heard me through the cheers and whistles of the crowd who met us.

“I love you, too,” she said before kissing me again.